HD shotgun

[Mooseman]

I want to get a HD shotgun for my sister. She has never shot a gun. She is small but tough. I was thinking 20 gauge or 410. Not a single shot. I don't want to spend a lot of money because other than taking her to the range to teach her how to use it, she will never shoot it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[august1410]

20 gauge before .410. .410 is useless, in my mind, for defense. Ask her to try low recoil 12 gauge rounds as well. She just might surprise you.

My 11 year old daughter can send both 20 and 12 flyin' with the best of 'em.

 

[nomo613]

get a mossy or 870, with a spec ops stock. that with manageable recoil 00 buck is both lethal and controllable.(the stock will take around 50-70% of the felt recoil out)

 

[PJDiesel]

870.

 

[mopar92]

500 20 gauge youth model with a recoil reducing stock.

 

[retrorichard]

I've been a fan of maverick 88s and mossberg 500s.

 

[Indiana Jones]

My girlfriend is 5"5ish and 113lbs. First time she ever shot was a the trap range. She shot 2 rounds of wobble with my 12ga 870 and felt done after. I'd say some low power .12 gauge as well.

 

[Mr H]

I want to get a HD shotgun for my sister. She has never shot a gun. She is small but tough. I was thinking 20 gauge or 410. Not a single shot. I don't want to spend a lot of money because other than taking her to the range to teach her how to use it, she will never shoot it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Depending on her size, you might want to consider something along the lines of the Mossberg 500 youth 20ga.

 

[FrankOceanXray]

Depends on size. Any of the big names can do a youth stock or have a stock with adjustable LOP. The recoil won't be much of an issue short of using a pistol grip. 12ga is preferred. I wouldn't want to get hit with it or a 20ga or .410 for that matter.. 12ga is just the standard and plenty of ammunition to choose from. If there is ever a need for it, she won't complain the recoil was too much. The bad guy will complain - if able - the 12ga hole(s) in him.

Rem. 870. Get the LE trade ins Lou45 has offered. Great price. Thinking of one for me.

 

[Mooseman]

If there is ever a need for it, she won't complain the recoil was too much. The bad guy will complain - if able - the 12ga hole(s) in him.

I agree, but I worry she won't give it enough range time to learn the gun.

 

[FrankOceanXray]

That is the beauty of a shotgun and why I stand by them as a HD piece. They are point and shoot. Can be reasonable from the hip or shouldered... a handgun takes more training then a shotgun I'd venture.

 

[pakman916]

I went out and bought a Remington 870 for HD (12ga). I changed the stock with the ATI folding stock (pistol grip) because I wanted more options with regards to where I could store it (in a drawer if necessary).

Turns out that the stock is too long for my wife's shorter arms. She can barely reach the foregrip to rack it. I should put the stock that it came with back on to see if it's too long as well. Regardless, I'm now looking for an adjustable stock to compensate for her shorter reach. I want to try the blackhawk spec ops knoxx stock (recoil reducing). Being able to adjust the stock length and reducing recoil seems like a winning combination.

If you don't plan on changing out the stock or grip, I recommend the mossburg 500 because of the location of the safety using a rifle grip. But for pistol grip, the Remington safety is in a better location.

And just my thoughts on the 12ga vs 20ga, I'd go with the 12ga. Why take chances with a smaller gauge home defense shotgun. If you had just one shot to take, which gun do you reach for to take down the bad guy? The 12ga is rough at first, but the more you shoot it, the better you learn to manage it and master it...even for smaller people.

 

[wizzer368]

I saw a 500 at walmart for 200 bucks and with a limbsaver pad and low recoil buck shot it should be a great gun

 

[fivepointstar]

does you sister even what a shotgun?? perhaps you have to take her shooting first to see if she wants one

 

[obsolete]

Federal LE 133 Reduced Recoil Buckshot is very manageable. A limbsaver recoil pad is also a great addition.

 

[Sirex]

FWIW, I originally got a 20G shotgun so my wife could handle it, but she didn't even want to look at it. I have no doubt with the proper ammo a 20G would be an adequate HD gun, but first make sure she's even willing to shoot one. Take her to the range to shoot a gun or two of yours first. After that, if she's ok with it, I liked my Mossberg 20G. Pretty light, I even found some heavy duty home defense ammo for it. I miss it, but decided to go with the 12G since my wife was out of the equation and due to ammo prices and versatility.

 

[Stealth Pants]

20g with practice

 

[Redcobra]

I agree, but I worry she won't give it enough range time to learn the gun.

IMHO small women have trouble with pumps. Consider a semi-auto.

 

[Ethan83]

Don't go smaller than 20. Stick with 12 if at all possible. Go with a 'youth' model stock with reduced length of pull.

Federal LE Reduced Recoil is the absolute freakin' bees knees. The reduced recoil is extremely manageable (a few rounds didn't even bother my mom in her late 50s), and the pattern those things throw is absolutely ridiculous. It's basically like punching a fist through your target at around 7 yards. I believe they call the technology "Flight Control Wad" or something along those lines, and I can tell you it sure as hell works.

 

[Boom Boom]

How about an old well-loved 12ga pump? I see them here and there at gun shops in the $120-$180 range. Don't be deterred by "beat up" or "ugly" as long as it cycles smoothly and isn't covered with rust. If she doesn't like it, you can sell it quickly without a big loss. Have her try it out with 7/8oz rounds.